Back in Time for Tea

In episode one the First World War has just ended and the North is on the cusp of great transformation. Presenter Sara Cox and social historian Polly Russell introduce the family to 1918 living: their spacious home has been halved to become a traditional two up two down, they’re wearing clogs to work and dining on bread and lard - or tripe if they’re lucky. Bradford-born Anita Rani introduces them to the pleasures of rambling, 1930s-style, and the family enjoy a rare bank holiday in Blackpool. But as the Ellis’s soon discover, just like the seaside town’s famous rollercoaster , life for working families was full of ups and downs.

The post-war years see the Ellis family on rations without a fridge, hot water or an electric cooker. Thrifty fodder includes the regional favourites cow heel pie and Yorkshire pudding made with dried eggs, and while the cost of food is low, family spirits are high. The insecurity of the hungry thirties has been replaced by the promise of a fairer society for working class families with government commitment to full employment and better housing and healthcare. Plus, two new family members - chickens Sara and Polly - treat them to fresh eggs. Sara Cox and Polly Russell present.

For the Ellis family, 1960 marks the start of a new era of prosperity and confidence in the north. We follow dad Jon as he puts in a shift down the local pit. The work is hard but full employment and a strong union means he is bringing home a decent pay packet, so gone are the days of offal and dripping. By 1964 they are tucking into steak and home-cooked chips with Lancashire chef Nigel Haworth. They can even afford a summer holiday in Filey - enjoying a full fry up in their authentic 60s caravan.

For many northern families, the 70s saw a rise in living standards and the smallest gap in income ever recorded between rich and poor. Despite power cuts and strikes, this is a golden era for working-class families and the Ellises enjoy rare time together helped with the advent of their first ever record player and car!

The Ellises's 80s home is a homage to chintz and magnolia with the exciting addition of some new technology: their first telephone, a chest freezer and that 80s kitchen essential - a toastie maker! Whilst traditional food still takes precedence at home, 1983 sees a revolution in eating out for the family who enjoy a feast with top chef Marcus Wareing at a chain which launched that year - Harvester. The continuing influence of food from across the Atlantic means the girls get a job flipping burgers at Wimpy, while the boys pick up tea at a drive-thru fish and chip shop.

In this final episode of the series, the family reflects on their time-travel adventure, and explores how the legacy of 100 years of tumultuous history lives on in the northern diet today. Lesley and Sara visit a Liverpool bakery using the humble loaf to re-build a shattered community, and sisters Caitlin and Freya explore how recent changes on Manchester's Curry Mile show the evolving relationship with flavour.